As part of
an optional module in MA in Creative Writing at Durham University, the students
are exposed to fortnightly seminars, where various practical applications of
creative writing are explored through interactions with people from publishing
industry and other related fields. This week there was a visit by two literary
agents, from a reputed international literary agency based in UK.
An
interesting and informative discussion on the writer-agent relation developed
in the course of the seminar.
“There are
as many rules to this relation as the number of agencies, writers and novels.”
one of the agents professed.
A writer
–agent relation can commence in two ways- when the writer approaches the agency/agent
or when the agent approaches the writer.
A writer
approaching an agency has to keep in mind some specific and some general rules.
A writer can
approach as many agencies as she/he may choose. It is certainly not mandatory
for a writer to reveal which other agencies/ agents they have contacted while
making an online/ in-person/ postal/ email submission. In fact a writer can
choose not to divulge any information about it at all when posed a direct
question on this matter; and even ask the reason behind such a question.
A submission
to an agency comprises of a covering letter, a plot summary and the entire
manuscript. It is very rare for an agency/ agent to ask for only parts of the
manuscript for submission these days. If that is the case then it is best to
submit the first two chapters of the proposed novel.
A covering
letter has to be very short and crisp. It should reflect one’s passion and
professionalism as a writer. A writer can include only hints for a guided
reading but not deep explanation of the novel. The work is expected to speak
for itself. Many agents are put off by the severe mental steering in a covering
letter. If a novel has a typical audience group like a fantasy-fiction for
young adults, then it helps to mention so in the letter. The plot summary is
the overview of the novel in 3 to 4 paragraphs. Since the writers are
submitting complete manuscripts for submission, it is therefore advisable to
research the agencies/ agents well before making a submission. The list of
authors with the agency/ agent, the types of literature represented and the trend
or inclination of the agency/ agent to select writers, are points that go a
long way in finalising an agency/agent.
A writer
should make a submission only if the work is ready and agents prefer to receive
the entire manuscript in submissions. It helps them to decide more clearly
whether they want to represent the author or not. Besides, the agents do not want to raise hopes
of a writer by asking for more of a piece of work, only to reject it later.
The time
taken by agencies/ agents to respond is dependent on many factors like
work-load, free time to read, prior commitments and so on. Hence, the response
can be expected till the time it is received. A refusal is never the end of the
story. The same book may be published in its original form after the passage of
some time. It is really a matter of opportune timing and happy coincidences,
besides good writing of course.
The literary
agencies and agents are also on the look-out for fresh talent, hence a
best–selling author is more often than not, spotted in a minor publication. It
is always a good idea to try to get published in a journal or a magazine where
one finds writer worthy of admiration or liking. The agents prefer to follow
their tastes and instincts while approaching a writer. Their intuition of what
might be a best-seller is trained by experience and sadly there is no secret
formula to it! The agents also keep in mind the expertise of their firm or
themselves while deciding to represent a writer. The presence of the writer in
the literary world is also taken into account. This simply means the frequency
and nature of the author’s response to and participation in other writers’
work. Agencies/ agents like to view the writer not as a one-time-wonder but a
writer with a long-standing career with many books in her/his kitty. Agents
almost always take a second or a third opinion even if they like the
manuscript, therefore patience is the bedrock of this relation.
ETHOS OF THE WRITER-AGENT RELATION
The agent
makes room for the writer to write. She/he takes care of the non-writerly
aspects of becoming a published writer, and enables the writer to pursue
her/his passion uninhibitedly. The agent is the only person who supports the
writer in the entire journey of getting published and even after it. A good and
resourceful agent is instrumental in securing not only a good publisher for the
writer but also other platforms where the novel/story deserves a showcasing.
So, a movie deal with a production house, wielding greater influence in
conversion of the novel in to a script, approval of the script, choice of the
script writer, the director, so on and so forth; can be brought about by an
efficient agent.
If one is
desirous of becoming an agent then a few points can be kept in mind. Graduation
in literature or a related field is acceptable qualification. One has to be an
avid reader with a knack to know what may resonate with the larger audience.
One should be prepared to start at the entry-level as an assistant to an agent
or an editor. It is a vocation that requires a high degree of self-motivation,
so one should be prepared to walk the extra mile.
A few tips
that can be helpful for writers while choosing an agency/ agent to represent
them are:
- A writer should take herself/himself seriously as a writer.
- One should research the various agencies/ agents and make a careful and well-informed selection.
- A covering letter should not be professional to the extent of being cold. It should reflect a writer’s passion.
- Literary Agents work only on commission basis. One should not accept any other type of arrangement.
- The concept of reading fees charged by an agency is also not a good idea and one should steer clear of it.
- One can directly approach a publisher but then the nature of work that one invites into one’s purview because of such a step, is above and beyond plain writing. It may steal the bliss from writing.
- Self-publishing for a new writer is still a stigma. One may consider self-publishing after having successfully published a few titles with a publishing house.
- Micro-publishing or getting published at a smaller level with a smaller publisher, is a good way of entering the publishing world.
- MA anthologies of universities are read by the agents but not as a priority. It is always better to be supported by a publication outside one’s university.
- Some agencies are better placed to provide more exposure to the book because they also represent actors, directors, technicians and other artists.
- It is always a good idea to ask questions from one’s agency/ agent. They can be called upon to help at any stage of getting published or getting screened.
- Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is an exhaustive source of information about all the literary agents in UK, with detailed information about their contact address, submission guidelines and specialisms. The list also contains information about literary magazines, newspapers and related publications. One can access it at the following link:
It is the
aspiration of every writer to get published and literary agents make this
aspiration more achievable, this dream more real.
